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Arctic Icebar
) In the cavernous Uniq nightclub almost opposite Club Helsinki, this is a bar literally carved out of ice - tables, bar, the lot. Inside, it's minus five degrees; you get lent a suitable furry parka to enter. It's expensive (and you won't be able to ask for a glass of tap water…) but definitely worth doing once. There's an age minimum of 24.
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Ateljee Bar
This is a tiny perch on the roof of the Sokos Hotel Torni, and is worth ascending just for the views of the city. Take the lift to the 12th floor and the narrow winding staircase to the top. Downstairs, the courtyard Tornin Pivi is a cute little terrace with good wines by the glass and Coopers Stout in bottles. The rooftop bars of the Palace and the Sokos Vaakuna hotels are also notable for their great views.
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Club Uniq
Across the road from Helsinki Club, the small dance floor gets busy most nights but the novelty vote goes to the tiny Arctic Icebar (; - ; admission around €10 ) inside the club: don an insulated coat, sip a vodka shot in a balmy -5ºC, and watch the sweaty ravers outside through the glass wall. Minimum age 24.
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Corona & Café Mokba
These two quirky bars are owned by filmmakers Aki and Mika Kaurismäki and attract a savvy, grungy crowd. Corona has cool bar staff and about 20 pool tables, so it's popular with drinkers and sharks. Mokba is a tiny Russian-influenced bar with ironic Soviet-era décor, flock wallpaper and almost comically gruff service.
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Corona Bar & Kaфe Mockba
These two utterly distinct bars are run by the quirky filmmakers Aki and Mika Kaurismäki and both attract a savvy, grungy crowd. Corona has about 20 pool tables and cheap beer, while the ultra-characterful Mockba (Café Moscow in Russian) recreates a lugubrious Eastern Bloc drinking den. It's understated and ironic, in a samovars and Brezhnev kind of way.
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DTM
Said to be Scandinavia's biggest gay club, DTM (Don't Tell Mama) is more than just drag shows and dance tunes - it's a café, nightclub and meeting place on two floors.
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Grand Casino Helsinki
Grand Casino Helsinki is the city's only casino and the largest in Finland. It has 30 table games including poker, roulette and blackjack, and approximately 300 slot machines. The age limit is 18 and foreigners should carry their passport at all times for identification. Check out the mechanical horseracing.
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Hartwall Arena
If you're around in winter (September-March), take the chance to see a major ice hockey game. Big matches are played at the huge Hartwall Arena in Pasila, north of the centre (tram 7A or 7B). The stadium hosted ice hockey world championships in 1997 and 2004, and is home to Helsinki superleague side Jokerit. You can also catch games at the indoor arena of the Olympic Stadium off Mannerheimintie.
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Helsinki Club
If you're partying late, this is a mainstream dance club popular with a youthful local crowd. The interior is pretty tacky, with dodgy wallpaper and worse carpet; make it to the cooler back dancefloor if you can. During the week there is a variety of local acts, with big-name DJs at weekends (minimum age for entry on weekends is 24).
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Juttutupa
West of Hakaniemi metro station is one of Helsinki's top live music bars, focusing on contemporary jazz and rock fusion. The best day is Wednesday, when there's nearly always a high-quality jazz act, but at any time it's a nice towering stone building looking out over a bay of the harbour, with a terrace and a couple of restaurants.
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Kallio
For the cheapest beer in Helsinki (from around €2 a pint during the seemingly perpetual happy hours), try a pub crawl in the working-class suburb of Kallio.
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Kansallis Teatteri
Performances by the Finnish National Theatre are at the Kansallis Teatteri , near the train station.
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Kappeli
Behind the glass and iron façade of this Helsinki institution is an excellent restaurant and café which has been the haunt of Helsinki's artsy types since 1867. In the stone-walled cellar is an ambient vaultlike bar and its summer terrace is one of the city's best people watching spots. The nearby stage also hosts regular free performances in summer.
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Kinopalatsi Cinema
Kinopalatsi is another large cinema complex in the central entertainment district.
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Lost and Found
This popular bar has a great atmosphere and eccentric and original decor on the lost-and-found theme. Originally a gay bar, it now is far too mixed to really be labelled as such and attracts all sorts to its relaxed upstairs and tightly packed downstairs club.
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Molly Malone's
Helsinki's rocking Irish pub is packed most nights - there's a live band upstairs, cosy snugs downstairs, and this is a great place to meet travellers, expats and Finns out for a good time.
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On the Rocks
Across the square from the train station, this cheerful bar has a great summer terrace and pool table, and a rock'n'roll theme. Downstairs is a dark, moody club, which has frequent live rock music, nightly DJs and even a fountain. .
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Opera House
Opera, ballet and classical concerts are held at the Opera House, a splendid white building overlooking Töölönlahti Bay. The whole venue is very regal, from sculptures in the carpark to the glass-walled bay-view foyer and opulent restrooms. The opera and concert season is generally September to May.
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Orion Theatre
Alternative and art-house cinema with a fondness for Woody Allen; screens Finnish Film Archive movies.
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Room Albert
Helsinki's newest gay venue attracts a young, sophisticated crowd.
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Rosegarden
On Iso-Rooberinkatu is a growing list of clubs showcasing the latest in cool Helsinki nightlife. We Got Beef (679 268; Iso-Rooberinkatu 21; ; - Sun-Tue, - Wed-Sat) and Rosegarden are two worth checking out for DJ club music, drum & bass, dancing or lounging.
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Roskapankki
If cheap beer and a long and happy happy hour is to your liking head for Roskapankki. In the working-class suburb of Kallio it is one of many earthy local pubs only staggering distance apart, just perfect for a pub crawl. Roskapankki, which translates as 'trash bank' is a great place to get rowdy with some locals.
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Saunabar
Feel like a night out and a sauna? Just as the name suggests, this cool student bar has a couple of basement saunas, as well as a decent music bar.
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Spårakoff - Pub Tram
It may sound strange, or perhaps just a good idea, but in summer you can catch the bright red pub tram from the train station, with stops at the Opera House and kauppatori. It's a bit pricey and beers cost more than they do in less salubrious establishments but it's a quaint way to do a quick tour of town.
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Storyville Jazz Club
This is one of Helsinki's best jazz clubs, housed in a converted coal cellar. A mature, whisky-sipping crowd enjoy the traditional, Dixieland, swing and New Orleans jazz most nights. There's also a romantic terrace here, open later than any others are allowed to be. Locals say that's because Parliament House is next door.
